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167 Cards in this Set
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social psychology
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study of how people influence others' behavior, beliefs, and attitudes
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social comparison theory
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theory that we seek to evaluate our abilities and beliefs by comparing them with those of others
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mass hysteria
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outbreak of irrational behavior that is spread by social contagion
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social facilitation
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enhancement of performance brought about by the presence of others
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attribution
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process of assigning causes to behavior
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fundamental attribution error
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tendency to overestimate the impact of dispositional influences on other people's behavior
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conformity
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tendency of people to alter their behavior as a result of group pressure
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deindividuation
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tendency of people to engage in uncharacteristic behavior when they are stripped of their usual identities
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groupthink
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emphasis on group unanimity at the expense of critical thinking
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group polarization
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tendency of group discussion to strengthen the dominant positions held by individual group members
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cult
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group of individuals who exhibit intense and unquestioning devotion to a single cause
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inoculation effect
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approach to convincing people to change their minds about something by first introducing reasons why the perspective might be correct and then debunking them
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obedience
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adherence to instructions from those of higher authority
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pluralistic ignorance
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error of assuming that no one in a group perceives things as we do
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diffusion of responsibility
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reduction in feeling of personal responsibility in the presence of others
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social loafing
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phenomenon whereby individuals become less productive in groups
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altruism
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helping others for unselfish reasons
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enlightenment effect
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learning about psychological research can change real-world behavior for the better
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aggression
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behavior intended to harm others, either verbally or physically
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relational aggression
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form of indirect aggression, prevalent in girls, involving spreading rumors, gossiping and nonverbal putdowns for the purpose of social manipulation
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attitude
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belief that includes an emotional component
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self-monitoring
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personality trait that assesses the extent to which people's behavior reflects their true feelings and attitudes
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cognitive dissonance
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unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting thoughts or beliefs
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self-perception theory
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theory that we acquire our attitudes by observing our behaviors
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impression management theory
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theory that we don't really change our attitudes, but report that we have so our behaviors appear consistent with our attitudes
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foot-in-the-door technique
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persuasive technique involving making a small request before making a bigger one
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door-in-the-face technique
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persuasive technique involving making an unreasonably large request before making the small request we're hoping to have granted
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low-ball technique
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persuasive technique in which the seller of a product starts by quoting a low sales price, and then mentions all of the "add-on" costs once the customer hass agreed to purchase the product
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Prejudice
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drawing negative conclusions about a person, group of people, or a situation prior to evaluating the evidence
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stereotype
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a belief, positive or negative, about the characteristics of members of a group that is applied generally to most members of the group
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ultimate attribution error *
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assumption that behaviors among individual members of a group are due to their internal dispositions
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adaptive conservatism
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evolutionary principle that creates a predisposition toward distrusting anything or anyone unfamiliar or different
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in-group bias
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tendency to favor individuals within our group over those from outside our group
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out-group homogeneity
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tendency to view all individuals outside our group as highly similar
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discrimination
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negative behavior toward members of out-groups
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scapegoat hypothesis
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claim that prejudice arises from a need to blame other groups for our misfortunes
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just-world hypothesis
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claim that our attributions and behaviors are shaped by a deep-seated assumption that the world is fair and all things happen for a reason
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explicit prejudice
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unfounded negative belief of which we're aware regarding the characteristics of an out-group
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implicit prejudice
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unfounded negative belief of which we're unaware regarding the characteristics of an out-group
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jigsaw classroom
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educational approach designed to minimize prejudice by requiring all children to make independent contributions to a shared project
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intelligence test
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diagnostic tool designed to measure overall thinking ability
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abstract thinking
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capacity to understand hypothetical concepts
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general intelligence (g)
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hypothetical factor that accounts for overall differences in intellect among people
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specific abilities (s)
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particular ability level in a narrow domain
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fluid intelligence
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accumulated knowledge of the world acquired over time
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multiple intelligences
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idea that people vary in their ability levels across different domains of intellectual skill
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triarchic model
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model of intelligence proposed by Robert Sternberg positing three distinct types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative
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Standford-Binet IQ test
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intelligence test based on the measure developed by Binet and Simon, adapted by Lewis Terman of Stanford University
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intelligence quotient (IQ)
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systematic means of quantifying differences among people in their intelligence
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mental age
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age corresponding to the average individual's performance on an intelligence test
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deviation IQ
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expression of a person's IQ relative to his or her same-aged peers
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Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
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most widely used intelligence test for adults today, consisting of 15 subtests to assess different types of mental abilities
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culture-fair IQ test
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abstract reasoning measure that doesn't depend on language and is often believed to be less influenced by cultural factors than other IQ tests
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The bell curve of normal distribution
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distribution of scores in which the bulk of the scores fall toward the middle, with progressively fewer scores toward the "tails" or extremes
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mental retardation
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condition characterized by an onset prior to adulthood, an IQ below about 70, and an inability to engage in adequate daily functioning
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Flynn Effect
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finding that average IQ sores have been rising at a rate of approximately three points per decade
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within-group heritability
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extent to which the variability of a trait within a group is genetically influenced
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between-group heritabilityÂ
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extent to which differences in a trait between groups is genetically influenced
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test bias
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tendency of a test to predict outcomes better in one group than another
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stereotype threat
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fear the we may confirm a negative group stereotype
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personality
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people's typical ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving
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trait
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relatively enduring predisposition that influences our behavior across many situations
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nomothetic approach
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approach to personality that focuses on identifying general laws that govern the behavior of all individuals
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idiographic approach
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approach to personality that focuses on identifying the unique configuration of characteristics of life history experiences within a person
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molecular genetic study
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investigation that allows researchers to pinpoint genes associated with specific personality traits
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psychic determinism
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the assumption that all psychological events have a cause
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id
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reservoir of our most primitive impulses, including sex and aggression
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pleasure principle
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tendency of the id to strive for immediate gratification
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ego
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psyche's executive and principal decision maker
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reality principle
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tendency of the ego to postpone gratification until it can find an appropriate outlet
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superego
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our sense of morality
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defense mechanisms
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unconscious maneuvers intended to minimize anxiety
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repression
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motivated forgetting of emotionally threatening memories or impulses
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denial
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motivated forgetting of distressing external experiences
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regression
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the act of returning psychologically to a younger, and typically simpler and safer age
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factor analysis
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statistical technique that analyzes the correlations among responses on personality inventories and other measures
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big five
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five traits that have surfaced repeatedly in factor analyses of personality measures
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lexical approach
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approach proposing that the most crucial features of personality are embedded in our language
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demonic model
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view of mental illness in which odd behavior, hearing voices, or talking to oneself was attributed to evil spirits infesting the body
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medical model
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view of mental illness as due to a physical disorder requiring medical treatment
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asylum
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institution for people with mental illnesses created in the 15th century
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moral treatment
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approach to mental illness calling for dignity, kindness, and respect for those with mental illness
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deinstitutionalization
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1960s and 1970s governmental policy that focused on releasing hospitalized psychiatric patients into the community and closing mental hospitals
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somatoform disorder
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condition marked by physical symptoms that suggest an underlying medical illness, but that are actually psychological in origin
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hypochondriasis
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an individual's continual preoccupation with the notion that he has a serious physical disease
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generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
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continual feelings of worry, anxiety, physical tension, and irritability across many areas of life functioning
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panic attack
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brief, intense episode of extreme fear characterized by sweating, dizziness, light-headedness, racing heartbeat, and feelings of impending death or going crazy
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panic disorder
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repeated and unexpected panic attacks, along with either persistent concern about future attacks or a change in personal behavior in an attempt to avoid them
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phobia
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intense fear of an object or situation that's greatly out of proportion to its actual threat
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agoraphobia
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fear being in a place or situation from which escape is difficult or embarrassing or in which help is unavailable in the event of a panic attack
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social phobia
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marked fear of public appearances in which embarrassment or humiliation seems likely
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specific phobia
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intense fear of objets, places, or situations that is greatly out of proportion to their actual threat
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posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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marked emotional disturbance after experiencing or witnessing a severely stressful event
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obsessive-compulsive disorder
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condition marked by repeated and lengthy (at least one hour per day) immersion in obsessions, compulsions, or both
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obsession
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persistent idea, thought, or impulse that is unwanted and inappropriate, causing marked distress
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compulsion
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repetitive behavior or mental act performed to reduce or prevent stress
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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cognitive model of depression
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theory that depression is caused by negative beliefs and expectations
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learned helplessness
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tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we cant control
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manic episode
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experience marked by dramatically elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, inflated self-esteem, increased talkativeness, and irresponsible behavior
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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cognitive model of depression
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theory that depression is caused by negative beliefs and expectations
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learned helplessness
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tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we cant control
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manic episode
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experience marked by dramatically elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, inflated self-esteem, increased talkativeness, and irresponsible behavior
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bipolar disorder
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condition marked by a history of at least one manic episode
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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cognitive model of depression
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theory that depression is caused by negative beliefs and expectations
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learned helplessness
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tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we cant control
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manic episode
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experience marked by dramatically elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, inflated self-esteem, increased talkativeness, and irresponsible behavior
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bipolar disorder
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condition marked by a history of at least one manic episode
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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cognitive model of depression
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theory that depression is caused by negative beliefs and expectations
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learned helplessness
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tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we cant control
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manic episode
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experience marked by dramatically elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, inflated self-esteem, increased talkativeness, and irresponsible behavior
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bipolar disorder
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condition marked by a history of at least one manic episode
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anxiety sensitivity
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fear of anxiety-related sensation
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major depressive episode
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state in which a person experiences a lingering depressed mood or diminished interest in pleasurable activities, along with symptoms that include weight loss and sleep difficulties
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cognitive model of depression
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theory that depression is caused by negative beliefs and expectations
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learned helplessness
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tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we cant control
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manic episode
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experience marked by dramatically elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, inflated self-esteem, increased talkativeness, and irresponsible behavior
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bipolar disorder
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condition marked by a history of at least one manic episode
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personality disorder
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condition in which personality traits, appearing first in adolescence, are inflexible, stable, expressed in a wide variety of situations, and lead to distress or impairment
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schizophrenia
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severe disorder of thought and emotion associated with a loss of contact with reality
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delusion
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strongly held, fixed belief that has no basis in reality
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psychotic symptom
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psychological problem reflecting serious distortions in reality
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hallucination
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sensory perception that occurs in the absence of an external stimulus
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catatonic symptom
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motor problem, including extreme resistance to complying with simple suggestions, holding the body in bizarre or rigid postures, or curling up in a fetal position
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diathesis-stress model
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perspective proposing that mental disorders are a joint product of a genetic vulnerability, called a diathesis, and stressors that trigger this vulnerability
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autistic disorder
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disorder (also known as autism) marked by severe deficits in language, social bonding, and imagination, usually accompanied by mental retardation
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attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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childhood condition marked by excessive inattention, impulsivity, and activity
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bulimia nervosa
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an eating disorder characterized by dieting, binge eating, and purging
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anorexia nervosa
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eating disorder associated with excessive weight loss and the irrational perception that one is overweight
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psychotherapy
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a psychological intervention designed to help people resolve emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal problems and improve the quality of their lives
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paraprofessional
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person with no professional training who provides mental health services
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insight therapies
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psychotherapies, including psychodynamic, humanistic, and group approaches, with the goal of expanding awareness or insight
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strategic family intervention
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family therapy approach designed to remove barriers to effective communication
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structural family therapy
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treatment in which therapists deeply involve themselves in family activities to change how family members arrange and organize interactions
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behavior therapist
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therapist who focuses on specific problem behaviors, and current variables that maintain problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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systematic desensitization
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clients are taught to relax as they are gradually exposed to what they fear in a stepwise manner
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exposure therapy
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therapy that confronts clients with what they fear the goal of reducing the fear
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dismantling
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research procedure for examining the effectiveness of isolated components of a larger treatment
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response prevention
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technique in which therapists prevent clients from performing their typical avoidance behaviors
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participant modeling
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technique in which the therapist first models a problematic situation and then guides the client through steps to cope with it unassisted
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token economy
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method in which desirable behaviors are rewarded with tokens that clients can exchange for tangible rewards
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aversion therapy
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treatment that uses punishment to decrease the frequency of undesirable behaviors
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cognitive-behavioral treatments
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treatments that attempt to replace maladaptive or irrational cognitions with more adaptive, rational cognitions
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meta-analysis
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statistical method that helps researchers to interpret large bodies of psychological literature
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empirically supported treatment (EST)
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intervention for specific disorders supported by high-quality scientific evidence
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psychopharmacotherapy
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use of medications to treat psychological problems
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electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
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patients receive brief electrical pulses to the brain that produce a seizure to treat serious psychological problems
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psychosurgery
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brain surgery to treat psychological problems
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prefrontal cortex
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part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language
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Single-Subject Experimental Design
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research method in which a single participant is observed and measured both before and after the manipulation of an independent variable
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sympathetic nervous system
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division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight
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sensation
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detection oh physical energy by sense organs, which then send information to the brain
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monocular depth cues
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stimuli that enable us to judge depth using both eyes
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reinforcement vs. punishment
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"reinforcement is the outcome or consequence of a behavior that strengthens the probability of the behavior
punishment is the outcome or consequence of a behavior that weakens the probability of the behavior" |
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DiscriminativeStimulus vs. Stimulus Discrimination
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"stimulus associated with presence of reinforcement vs learning to tell the difference between to stimuli
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Law of Effect
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principle asserting that if a stimulus followed by a behavior results in a reward, the stimulus is more likely to give rise to the behavior in the future
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Long-term Potentiation
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gradual strengthening of the connections among neurons from repetitive stimulation
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Naive Physics
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children have an idea of this at 4.5 months, if something is unsupported it will fall
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